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Builder and homeowner Al Rossetto believes that a good indoor air quality is just as important as energy efficiency. In this video Al describes several energy-saving and healthy construction details that he won’t build a home without.

Read about regular people who have built Energy Star rated homes with Al’s help: http://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/blogs/dept/green-building-news/do-it-yourself-home-building-enabler

” “This strange building technique combines an ancient building material with a modern-day aesthetic. It was pioneered by Nicoló’s father Dante, who built the first Binishell in 1964 (which is still standing today.) As the concrete sets around the form and structural support, an air pump is used to fill the bladder beneath. The concrete rises to reach its final shape, after which the bladder is deflated and removed for reuse. The tiny bubble-shaped structures are meant to be permanent homes and, according to Nicoló, have survived extreme conditions such as lava, ash and earthquakes on Mount Etna for 50 years.

There are over 1,600 Binishells built across the globe, ranging from those 120 feet in diameter to tiny bungalows built in developing countries. Nicoló believes the structures can be implemented to different typologies-schools, military bases and stadiums. The construction costs for Binishells start at ,500 and concrete mixes and rebar can be locally sourced or bought almost anywhere

Slipform Stone Masonry: Building a Slipform Stone House from the Bottom Up4.5

Building a Slipform Stone House from the Bottom Up (Revised and expanded).
http://www.hopspress.com/Books/Living_Homes.htm
http://www.hopspress.com/Videos/Stone_Masonry_Video.htm
In April of 2005 we broke ground on construction of a new energy-efficient slipform stone house originally intended as intern housing for our Green University® internship program. This slideshow provides a quick overview of the entire building process, from the bottom up. More extensive photos and text of the building process are available on our website at http://www.hollowtop.com.

Global poverty and homelessness are issues of immense magnitude. How can one person make any difference? Carolyn Scott speaks about how building houses helped uncover her passion for creating safe homes and strong communities, and how you don’t have to be an expert in construction to change people’s lives.

Carolyn Scott has always had a passion for imagining, designing and building. As such, she is drawn to math and science, but also to the arts, and loves exploring the places where they overlap. In her talk, she will explore how the physical aspects of construction and design intersect with society and family. When she’s not dreaming up her next creative project, Carolyn likes performing onstage as a singer and actor in chorus and drama productions. She is a member of the cross country and track teams, and enjoys drinking tea and reading everything from novels to newspapers in her spare time.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx

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#TinyHouseLover is a channel sharing homes under 500 sq ft. In the past few years, #tiny homes have surged in popularity. They’re economical, environmentally friendly, and encourage people to live minimally.